Book Reviews

Wonderful, wholesome, well-written mystery without the graphic sex and violence so often prevalent in mysteries. Looking forward to Ms. Phipps’ next book!

A fun read

Posted June 18, 2009, 4:51 PM EST: I am only on page 153, but felt compelled to write a review. I am enjoying the suspense, humor, and writing style, but strangely, what I am struck by the most is the love in the family of the central character, Bella Wildeve. There is alot of love in the Wildeve family, and I have enjoyed ‘spending time’ with them. It’s not really a big part of the storyline, but an enjoyable one nonetheless. I think all of us wish we were raised in a family like this one.

- “Anonymous”

Weirdly Wonderful

Posted April 28, 2009, 10:19 AM EST: It is amazing how many people I recognized in this amusing and eccentric village. We’ve all known people like them. My wife and I laughed out loud over the narrator’s choice of words and her offbeat observations of the people around her, the mystery, and herself. There is never a boring moment with Bella and Tamsin, or Bella’s quirky great-aunts, Astrid and Aurora. Hooray for Liza Weebs, Zinnia and Arabel, and let’s not forget Pansy and her extreme children… and little Gabriel, who I think is probably the only normal one living in Halfmoon. Extremely fun mystery.
– “Anonymous”

Great Job

This book was a very enjoyable read , I have the joy of knowing the writer of this book personally, I must say that this book was very enjoyable, it was a good clean book, full of humor suspense and other elements I like in a book. I feel like the writer was able to capture the characters and settings in the book very well. So great job on the book hopefully there is going to be another , and if there is I look forward to it.

- “Josh Moore”

Posted April 28, 2009, 10:19 AM EST: It is amazing how many people I recognized in this amusing and eccentric village. We’ve all known people like them. My wife and I laughed out loud over the narrator’s choice of words and her offbeat observations of the people around her, the mystery, and herself. There is never a boring moment with Bella and Tamsin, or Bella’s quirky great-aunts, Astrid and Aurora. Hooray for Liza Weebs, Zinnia and Arabel, and let’s not forget Pansy and her extreme children… and little Gabriel, who I think is probably the only normal one living in Halfmoon. Extremely fun mystery.

Read book 3 times

by Keith - July 19, 2009

An extremely funny story and a puzzling mystery.Couldn’t guess the ending.

Complete surprise. I read the book three times and enjoyed each time more than

the last.Glad to keep it in my library. I highly recommend this book if you

like fun mysteries.

John B. Campbell (a.k.a. Nigel Fields) on CHARADES WITH A LUNATIC:Charades with a Lunatic by Thea Phipps has all the pleasant elements of the British Cosy. It is an enjoyable read with engaging characters, a fun premise and some delightful humor (or should I say humour?). Our writers/readers group in WI bought some copies and enjoyed discussing it at the old coffee house. Check it out.
John Campbell, author of Walk to Paradise Garden

For my birthday last month, my daughter gave me this book. It’s a humorous mystery by Thea Phipps called Charades With A Lunatic.

It made me lol. Do not bring this book with you to read in a quiet place. I brought it to my doctor’s office and I kept laughing out loud. There is nothing wrong with that, but people started looking at me funny.

Once again I had pages of notes and I was determined to guess the mystery. I didn’t, even though the author, Thea Phipps plays fair with her readers. I think I fell for every red herring.

The author’s humor is at it’s best for me when she is describing people’s actions in a scene and the visual is a crack up.

I also appreciate her descriptions. On page 148 she writes”…as out of place…as a frosted bonbon in a cat’s litter box.” and ” …false eyelashes ringed her eyes like squatting tarantulas.”

What a riot! Unlike any mystery book I have ever read…said in the VERY best way. There was a new surprise or adventure each time I opened the book, and I don’t believe there was a time I didn’t at least smile while reading. The author’s creativity was displayed in so many aspects: the mystery, the setting, even the dialogue, but the list of unusual characters brought such a liveliness to the story, each possessing the most unique personalities staying true through the entire book. I also enjoyed the brilliant, detailed descriptions that the author used painting such beautifully bizarre pictures. Thank you for your whimsical and respectable interpretation of a mystery!

The Doll in the Wall was as good if not better than the first book in my opinion. It was great to see the same group of unbalanced characters as well as some new. It was fun to get to know them better and watch relationships grow. The main character’s comical conflicts throughout the story made this book a page turner. The mystery was so crafty and put together so very well. I love that the author stays true to the setting of the story and cultures of the characters. Creativity once again evident in every aspect. The writing style makes you feel, not like you are just watching the story unfold, but like you are there with the characters helping them solve the mystery. A great escape and wonderful adventure for any generation…the young or the young at heart.